When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:26-30 (ESV)
STATION 9 VIDEO | In the Depth
REFLECTION
“It is finished.” —Jesus, on the Cross
Jesus gave until there was nothing left. He gave his closest people to one another, then he gave his last breath, then he gave his spirit. What are we to make of this? It is hard to sit in this moment and reflect on Jesus’ final moment. Some of the people closest to Jesus were circled up around him…ones who never left his side. His mother is there, aching to hold her son, to receive his body.
There was probably very little that was said. What is there to say? There is no answer to life’s greatest pains. Williams says, “when we see people who have lost literally everything, we need to worry. We need to care.” We need to reach out, to touch, so sit, to hold, listen to, cry, and accompany the suffering even though nothing will make such times alright.
RESPONSE
Think of a time of pain or grief you have experienced. On the papers provided…
- Write down phrases that people said that were awkward or made you feel worse.
- When you’re finished, crumble the paper up.
- Get a new blank sheet and sit in silence for a minute or two imagining a friend or loved one going through something similar.
- Write on your paper “You are not alone” or “You are loved”.
- Imagine what their response would be to just your presence and a simple phrase whispered to them.
PRAYER
Jesus Christ crucified, on your last breath you remind us that we are given to one another to hold when horror happens—when love bleeds out before our eyes and darkness descends. The silencing of your life broke hearts wide open, so grieved the earth it heaved in pain. No words. No Kingdom utterance. Who are we to be able to withstand such pain? Let us not become immune to the suffering of others. Life without you is a taste of hell. Lord, have mercy.